Apparatus for removing stuck pipe from well bores



N. H. HALL Sept. 3, 1957 APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STUCK PIPE FROM WELL. BORES riled Feb. 20, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lwsdarlrll:

Nob/e H. HOU

IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYJ Sept. 3, 1957 N H, HALL 2,804,927

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STUCK PIPE FROM WELL BORES u Filed Feb. 20, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 "VM P- l fik,

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' I 32 BYdjgZJ/MILJ w Arrow/vani N. H. HALL Sept. 3, 1957 APPARATUS FOR REMOVING STUCK PIPE FROM WELL BORES Filed Feb. 20, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 /VOb/e /L/c7// y INVENTUR.

wmf@ BY jay g AT/ONEYJ United States Patent() APPARATUS FR REMOVING STUCK PIPEV FROM WELL BORES Noble H. Hall, Shreveport, La. Application February 20, 1952, Serial No. 272,593

16 Claims. (Cl. 16o- 221) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in apparatus for removing stuck pipe from well bores. 'Ihe invention relates particularly to a fishing tool which may be combined with a wash pipe in a manner to efficiently remove the stuck pipe.

When a well pipe becomes stuck within a well bore, it is the usual practice to first remove all of the pipe above that portion which is stuck, after which a wash pipe is lowered into the bore to wash over the stuck pipe or fish The washing over operation is continued downward around the outside of the upper lend of the fish until several joints have been freed from contact with the formation. Thereafter, the wash pipe is removed and well pipe is run into the hole for coupling with the upper end of the fish. By means of this pipe a left hand torque is taken in the pipe string and then an explosive charge is lowered by means of a wire lines to some point below the upper end of the fish. Firing of the charge releases the threaded joint opposite the charge and due to the left hand torque and tension held on the fish, the upper section thereof is uncoupled and can thereafter be removed. The release of a section of stuck pipe by this shooting and torque method is fully disclosed in the patent to Kinley, No. 2,305,261.

Although the method above described has been found satisfactory, it will be recognized that it involves considerable rig time because the wash pipe must be lowered and the washing operation carried out, after which said pipe must be removed and the well pipe run into the hole for connection with the sh. In the event the washing operation was not successful in loosening the upper portion of the fish, the well pipe above the fish must be disconnected and removed and the wash pipe again rerun, all of which involves many hours of rig time as well as considerable labor.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for removing stuck pipe or fish from a well bore wherein the wash pipe may be lowered by means of the same pipe which is employed to retrieve the fish, whereby the necessity of removing the wash pipe completely from the hole before the pipe which retrieves the fish is run in is obviated.

An important object is to provide an improved apparatus for removing stuck pipe which involves the continuous steps of washing around the fish, then connecting a retrieving pipe to the fish, thereafter applying a left hand torque to the pipe, firing an explosive charge at a desired point at the upper end of the fish to disconnect lthat portion of the fish thereabove and finally removing the separated section of the fish.

Another object is to provide an apparatus of the character described, wherein the wash pipe may be moved either longitudinally or rotatively during the subsequent steps of manipulating the tool to prevent sticking of said wash pipe.

A particular object is to provide an improved fishing too'l which may be combined with a wash pipe and a retrieving pipe so that the washing operation may be initially carried out, after which the retrieving pipe may be connected with the stuck pipe or fish and disconnection and retrieving of the fish efficiently effected.

A further object is to provide an improved tool comprising a body portion which is adapted to be connected with a wash pipe and a retrievingl pipe and employing a telescoping section which may be connected with the fish; said telescoping connection being adapted to be rotatably coupled with the body portion or if desired nonrotatably coupled thereto, whereby the wash pipe and body as well as the retrieving pipe may be moved or rotated while the telescoping section is connected with the fish.

A still further object is to provide a fishing tool of the character described which incorporates therein a safety joint which will permit removal of the body portion of the tool as well as the wash pipe connected therewith in the event that removal of the fish, after having been coupled with the Vtool,'is not possible.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic view illustrating a stuck pipe or fish within a well bore and showing an apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention being lowered into position for washing over the stuck pipe,

Figure 2 is a similar View illustrating the washing operation being carried out,

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the apparatus coupled to the upper end of the stuck pipe or fish,

Figure 4 is a similar View showing the explosive charge lowered into position opposite one of the couplings in the stuck portion of the pipe,

Figure 5 is a view illustrating the removal of a section of the stuck pipe by means of the improved apparatus,

Figure 6 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation of the improved fishing tool constructed in accordance with the invention and showing the parts in the position during lowering of the tool and also during the washing operation,

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 with the tool connected to the upper end of the stuck pipe or fish,

Figure 8 is a view illustrating the intermediate position of the telescoping section of the tool which permits rotation of the wash pipe,.

Figure 9 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the 'line 9 9 of Figure 6, and` Figure l0 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the interengaging splines on the telescoping sections of the tool.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates a well bore having a well pipe A illustrated as stuck within the bore. This stuck pipe or fish A may be at any portion within the well bore and, as illustrated in Figure l, that section of the pipe above the point at which the pipe is stuck has been removed. In removing the pipe A the method which is illustrated in Figures l to 5 is carried out, and as shown in these figures, a retrieving pipe 1i has its lower end connected with a tool T, which will be hereinafter described in detail. A wash pipe 12 has its upper end connected with the tool T and its bore has a diameter which is of a size sufficient to pass over the wa'rdly over the pipe A in the manner illustrated in Fig. ,2. -As the formation .is washed'away `from around the stuck pipe, the wash pipe 12 is continuously lowered and is of a length suicient to wash around several joints for sections ofthe stuck pipe. Y v

`As i'the 'wash 'pipe lis lowered to the position Yshown fin Figure 3, the lowerve'n'd ofthe tool T is Vadapted to be coupled into the `upper end 'of the stuck pipe or lish A. Thereafter, by means of the retrieving pipe -11 -a'nd the tool 71-, a left hand torque is applied tothe upper portion lof Vthe stuck pipe A andan explosive Vcharge C is lowered on a wire line 13 through the retrieving pipe 11, tool T 4and stuck pipe A to a point opposite one of the couplings B of the stuck pipe. The particular coupling will be xva't'son'le point well `below the upper end of the stuck 'pipe -or fish A. With the lefthand torque applied, the

'explosive charge C-is ii'red and releases the threads of the coupling B whereby the upper section of the stuck pipe A is disconnected at the coupling B. Thereafter, the retrieving pipe 141 and tool T may be utilized to retrieve 'the 'upper section of the stuck pipe, as illustrated in pipe, to thereafter connect the retrieving pipe 11 with the upper end of the stuck pipe to allow the left hand torque to be applied, and to thereafter lower and re the explosive charge C, whereby a disconnection of the stuck pipe may be accomplished. With the method disclosed there is only one pipe which need be lowered into the well bore to perform both the washing and retrieving operations. Obviously, if the 'tiring of the charge C does not disconnect the stuck pipe at the collar B, the washing operation may be resumed until such time as the upper portion of the stuck pipe is released. Itis not necessary to remove the wash pipe at any time in order to permit a retrieving pipe to be lowered. As will hereinafter appear, the tool 'I is so constructed that it will permit longitudinal movement or rotative movement of the wash pipe with respect to the stuck pipe A after the tool has been connected to said stuck pipe, and therefore, the chance of the wash pipe also becoming stuck while the explosive f1 charge is being lowered and red is eliminated. It is also pointed out that circulation of washing fluid through- -out .the entire operation may be carried out.

The particularV construction of the tool T is clearly shown in Figures 6 to l0 and includes a tubular body or Ymandrel having an enlarged head 21 at its upper end and forming the lower part of the retrieving pipe. The head 21 Yis vformed with an internally threaded box 22 for connection with the retrieving pipe 11 and said head also has external threads 23 at its lower portion whereby the upper end of the wash pipe 12 may be connected thereto. When the wash pipe is in connected position, as shown in Figure 6, an annular space 24 is formed between the bore ofthe wash pipe 12 and the external surface of the tubular body or mandrel 20, and the upper end of this annular space has communication with the bore of the retrieving pipe 11 through inclined circulating passages 20a.

The lower portion of the body or mandrel 20 is formed with external left hand threads 25 which are relatively coarse, and these threads are adapted to interengage with threads 26 which are provided within the bore yof a collar 27. The collar has an upwardly extending tubular extension 27a and the threads 26 extend through-out the bore of'both the collar and its extension.

Mounted to undergo telescoping movement with respect to the mandrel 20 and wash pipe 12 is an elongate tubular sleeve or housing 28 which isV disposed within the annular space 24 provided between the mandrel and the washpipe. The bore 28a of the sleeve has a sealing engag'einent with packing rings i2'9V which are carried by the collar 27 .and the extreme lower end of said sleeve is threaded onto the upper portion of a coupling col- Vlar 30. Suitable lock screws 31 may lock the threaded connection between the sleeve and collar. The lower end of the coupling has an externally threaded pin 32 which is adapted to engage within the coupling 33 at the upper end of the stuck pipe or iish A.

For rotatively coupling the sleeve 28 to the mandrel or body 20 the upper portion of the bore of said sleeve is formed with inwardly directed splines 34 (Figure l0) which are adapted to interengage with splines 35 provided on the upper exterior surface of the mandrel -or body 20. The upper and lower ends 34a of'splines 34 and the upper and lower ends 35a Yof splines 3S are beveled or inclined so as to guide the splines into engagement upon telescoping movement of the sleeve with respect to the body. When the mandrel or body 20 is in its lower position with respect to the sleeve 28, as shown in Figure 6, the vsplines 34 and 35 are in engagement to rotatively couple 'the parts together. A shear pin 36 which extends through the sleeve 28 and into the mandrel 20 may initially secure the parts with the mandrel in a lowered position relative to the sleeve. When the pin 36 is sheared and thc `mandrel 20 moved 'to its uppermost position with respect to the sleeve, the -lower ends of the splines 34 engage an annular shoulder 27h `tor-med on the collar 27, which "engagement limits the relatively upward movement of the Vmandrel -o`r body with respect to the sleeve. When the mandrel or body is in its extreme raised position with respect l'to the sleeve, as illustrated in Figure 7, the splines 34 are adapted to interengage with splines 37 which are -formed on-'the external surface of the extension 27a lof collar 27. Since the collar 27 is mounted on the mandrel or body, the splines 37 are in effect secured to the mandrel. It is 'thus evident that in either of its extreme 'positions with respect to the sleeve 2S, the mandrel or body lis non-rotatively coupled to the sleeve; however, when `the 'mandrel Vis in an intermediate position with respect to the sleeve, as shown in Figure 8, the splines V34 are ata -poirit between the upper splines 35 and the lower splines 37 and in such position the mandrel or body, together with the wash pipe 12, may be rotated freely with respect to the sleeve 28. Because of thc telescoping connection between the body and the sleeve, it is evident'fthat the body and the wash pipe 12 connected therewith may undergo a longitudinal movement relative to said sleeve.

ln the operation tof the tool the parts are connected as illustrated -inFigure 6, with the upper end of the tool body yor mandrel being connected with the retrieving pipe. The upper end of the wash 'pipe 12 is threaded onto the head 21 of the mandrel or body of the tool and the sleeve28 is -inits fully 'telescoped position with its splines 34 interengaged with the upper splines 35 of the mandrel. The shear pin 36 is in place and maintains the parts in the position shown in Figure '6.

The assembly is lowered downwardly through the well bore to engage the lower end of the wash pipe 12 over the stuck pipe A and washing iluid is circulated downwardly through the retrieving pipe, through the passages 20a, annular space 24 and outwardly from the lower end of 'the wash pipe. The wash pipe may be of any desired length and will be moved downwardly over the stuck pipe in the manner shown in Figure 2.

The washing operation progresses until the wash pipe has been lowered suiciently to engage the threaded pin 32 of the coupling 30 with the upper coupling collar 33 of the -stuck pipe A. When this occurs the retrieving pipe ll'and mandrel 20 of the tool T are rotated and through the engagement of the splines 34 and 35 a similar rotation is imparted to the sleeve 28 and coupling 30, whereby the coupling may be "made up into the collar 33 ofthe stuck pipe. It is pointed out that this connection between the coupling 30 and the collar 33 is made up very tight. After such connection is made as illustrated in Figure 3, an upward pull is taken on the retrieving pipe and mandrel 30 so as to shear the pin 26, the sleeve 28 being held stationary at this time by its connection with the stuck pipe A. After shearing of the pin the retrieving pipe and mandrel are moved to locate the splines 34 of the sleeve 28 intermediate the splines 35 and 37 (Figure 8), and such location of the splines makes it possible to impart rotation to the retrieving pipe and the wash pipe. If desired, the retrieving pipe 11`and Wash pipe 12 may be moved longitudinally between the splines 35 and 37, and this longitudinal movement, together with any rotative movement, will prevent sticking of the wash pipe. During this time, circulation of washing fluid may be continued. While the wash pipe is maintained in movement the explosive charge C is lowered by means of the wire line 13, as shown in Figure 4, and is disposed opposite the desired coupling B in the stuck pipe A.

Prior to the time that the explosive charge C is tired, the retrieving pipe 1l and mandrel 20 are moved upwardly to cause the sleeve 28 to assume'its fully extended position as illustrated in Figure 7. ln such position the splines 34 of the sleeve 28 engage the lower splines 37 and again set up a rotative coupling between the sleeve and mandrel. Thereafter, an upward tension is taken on the pipe 1l and a left hand torque is applied to the pipe. This torque is suflicient to apply a left hand torque through the sleeve 28 to the stuck pipe and when this is accomplished, the explosive charge C is red. As has been explained, firing of the explosive charge releases the threads of the collar B and due to the left hand torque the upper portion of the stuck pipe is disconnected from the remainder thereof. Thereafter, the retrieving pipe may be utilized to remove the entire assembly together with the upper portion of the stuck pipe A from the well bore.

It is pointed out that the left hand coarse threads and 26 of the mandrel 20 and collar 27 transmit the left hand torque to the sleeve 28. Thus, when the left hand torque is being applied the connection made by the threads 25 and 26 is in fact being tightened and this will assure that there will be no breaking out of this connection during the application of the torque. The threads 25 and 25 also provide a safety joint so that in the event that the stuck pipe cannot be removed and the coupling cannot be disconnected from the stuck pipe, a rotation of the retrieving pipe and mandrel in a right hand direction will result in breaking out the threads 25 and 26. This will permit removal of the retrieving pipe and the mandrel 20, as well as the wash pipe 12 from the well bore, leaving only the sleeve 28 andits coupling 30.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the apparatus permits the carrying out of a continuous method and requires only the lowering of a single pipe. The wash pipe is in effect lowered on the retrieving pipe and this permits the washing operation to be carried out, followed by connection with the stuck pipe, application of left hand torque and disconnection of the stuck pipe followed by removal of the apparatus and the stuck pipe or fish. The arrangement is such that the washing operation may be continuously carried out until the disconnection of the stuck pipe is effected. Also, during the time that the explosive charge is being lowered the Wash pipe may be kept continuously moving, either by rotation or longitudinal movement. Althoughthe shear pin 36 is desirable to maintain the sleeve 28 in its fully telescoped position, this pin is not essential since it would be possible to lower the tool with the sleeve fully extended, as shown in Figure 7. In such instance, engagement of the coupling 30 with the collar 32 of thc tish would telescope the sleeve to the position shown in Figure 6, which allows the coupling 30 to be connected with the ish. However, it has been found that the use of the shear pin prevents the sleeve 28 from moving longitudinally as the device is being lowered. The upper and lower splines 35 and 37 provide for rotatively connecting the sleeve to the mandrel in either of its extreme positions, and as has been pointed out the shape of the upper and lower ends of the splines assure that the splines will interengage with each other as the sleeve moves longitudinally with respect to the mandrel.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well asV in the details of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having described the invention, I claim:

l. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, a fishing tool including, a retrieving pipe, a tubular body connected to the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a wash pipe supported by and depending from the retrieving pipe and surrounding the body, a sleeve encircling the body located between said body and wash pipe and movable longitudinally with respect to the body, coacting means on the body and sleeve for limiting the longitudinal movement of the sleeve on the body, means on the lower end of the sleeve adapted to be connected with a stuck pipe within a well bore, and means for connecting the sleeve to the body and therefore to the retrieving pipe to which the body is attached in a nonrotational relationship whereby said retrieving pipe may be utilized to impart rotation to the sleeve and thereby operate the means at the lower end of the sleeve to connect the same with the stuck pipe.

2. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, a fishing tool including, a retrieving pipe, a tubular body on the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a wash pipe supported by and depending from the retrieving pipe and surrounding the body, a sleeve encircling the body located between said body and wash pipe and movable longitudinally with respect to the body, means on the body and sleeve for limiting the longitudinal movement of the sleeve on the body, upper splines -on the body, lower splines on the body, and a single series of splines within the bore of the sleeve and adapted to engage either one or the other of the splines on the body or to be disposed between said upper and lower splines, engagement of the sleeve splines with either the upper or lower splines of the body `setting up a non-rotative connection between the body and sleeve so that rotation of the retrieving pipe may be utilized to rotate the sleeve, disposition ot' the sleeve splines between said upper and lower body splines permitting independent rotation of the body with respect4 to the sleeve.

3. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, a lishing tool including, a retrieving pipe, a tubular body on the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a wash pipe supported by and depending from the retrieving pipe and surrounding the body, a sleeve encircling the body located. between said body and wash pipe and movable longitudinally with respect to the body, means 'on the body and sleeve forrlimiting the longitudinal movement of the sleeve on the body, upper splines on the body, lower splines on the body, a single series of splines within the bore of the sleeve and adapted to engage either one or the other of the splines on the body or to be disposed between said upper and lower splines, engagement of the sleeve splines with either the upper or lower splines of the body setting up a non-rotative connection between the body and sleeve so that rotation of the retrieving pipe may be utilized to rotate the sleeve, disposition of the sleeve splines between said upper and lower body splines permitting independent rotation of the body with respect to the sleeve, the body of the wash pipe being of a diameter larger than the external diameter of the sleeve, and means establishing circulation between the retrieving pipe and the bore ofthe wash pipe, whereby fluid may be circulated downwardly through said retrieving and wash pipes.

4- ln an apparatus for removing ,Stuck nine frgm. a wellbore, a fishing tool including, ya retrieving pipe, a tubular body on the lower end of the Vretrieving pipe, awash pipe supported by and depending from the retrieving pipe and surrounding the body, a sleeve encircling the body located between said body and Wash pipe and movable longitudinally with respect to the body, means on Athe body and sleeve for limiting the longitudinal movementv of the sleeve on the body, a coupling at the lower end.A of the sleeve and having a depending threaded pin for connection with the usual coupling collar of the stuck pipe, andan operative connection between the sleeve from which the coupling depends an-d the .body which is attached to the retrieving pipe whereby rotation of said pipe will rotate the body, sleeve and the coupling and connect the threaded pin thereof with the stuck pipe,

5. In an apparatus'for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, Va iishing tool including, a retrieving pipe, a tubular body on the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a washpipe supported by and depending from the retrieving pipe and surrounding the body, a collar connected to the lower end of the body by a left hand safety joint, a sleeve encircling said body and said collar, a coupling at the lower end of the sleeve having means for connecting it to the stuck pipe, an external spline on the upper portion of the body, an external spline on the collar, and an internal spline on the sleeve adapted to be positioned between the splines on the body and collar to permit independent rotation of the sleeve with respect to the body, engagement of the internal spline with the body Vspline setting up a non-rotational relationship between the body and sleeve and engagement of the internal spline with the collar setting up a non-rotational relationship between the sleeve and said collar. l

6. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, a fishing tool including, a retrieving pipe, a tubular mandrel on the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a wash pipe larger than the mandrel and encircling said mandrel, means for supporting the wash pipe from the retrieving pipe, a connecting sub element having a downwardly directed threaded pin, which pin is arranged to be threaded into the upper end of a stuck pipe within a well bore, co-engageable means on the sub element and on the mandrel for setting up a non-rotative connection between the sub element and the mandrel, and a releasable safety connection between the connecting sub element and the lower end of the mandrel, whereby the mandrel may be utilized when connected to the sub element to thread said sub element into the stuck pipe but may thereafter be disconnected from the sub element Vto permit withdrawal of the mandrel and the wash pipe by the retrieving pipe without removal of the sub element and stuck pipe.

7. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, a lishing tool including, a retrieving'pipe, a wash pipe supported by and suspended from the pipe, a telescoping assembly within the wash pipe and comprising an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member, means connecting the members for limited longitudinal movement with respect to each other, co-engageable means on the members adapted to be engaged to non-rotatively connect the members and effective when the members are in a predetermined longitudinal position with respect to each other, means attaching the upper portion of one ofthe members to the retrieving pipe whereby the assembly is suspended from said pipe, a connecting sub secured to the lower end of that member which is not directly connected to the retrieving pipe and having means for engaging with the upper end of a stuck pipe, and a safety connection located between the connecting sub and one member of the telescoping assembly and operable to disconnect the sub from the retrieving pipe, whereby the retrieving pipe and the wash pipe supported therefrom may be removed from the well `bore independently of said connecting sub,

8. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the co-engageable means on the members comprises clutching elements which engage each other at the limits of longitudinal movement of the members with respect to each other to non-rotatively couple said members, said clutching elements being disengaged when Ythe members are in an intermediate longitudinal position with respect to ,each other whereby the members are rotatively coupled to each other.. Y

, 9. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, a fishing tool including, a retrieving pipe, a wash pipe supported by and suspended from thev pipe, a telescoping assembly within the wash pipe and comprising an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member,

', means connecting the Vmembers for limited longitudinal movement with respect to each other, co-engageable means on theV members adapted to be engaged tononrotatively connect the members when the members are in a predetermined'longitudinal position with respect to each other, said co-engageable means being disengaged when the members are moved to another predetermined longitudinal position relative to each other to rotatively connect the members, means attaching the upper p0rtion of one of the member to the retrieving pipe whereby the assembly is suspended from said pipe, a connecting sub secured to the lower end of that member which is not directly connected to the retrieving pipe and having means for engaging with the upper end of a stuck pipe, and a safety connection located between the connecting sub and one member of the telescoping assembly which locates the safety connection between the connecting sub andthe retrieving pipe, said safety connection being normally in a connected inactive position and being capable of actuation by manipulation of the pipe when the connecting sub is attached to the stuck pipe, whereby the retrieving pipe and the wash pipe suspended therefrom may be removed from the well independently of the connecting sub.

l0. In4 an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, ya fishing tool including, a retrieving pipe, a wash pipe supported by and suspended from the pipe, a telescoping assembly within the wash pipe and comprising an inner tubular member and an outer tubular member, means connecting the members for limited longitudinal movement with respect to each other, projections secured to the inner member and disposed on the outer surface thereof, complementary projections secured to the.k outer member and adapted to interengage with the projections of the inner member to set up a non-rotative connection between the members, said projections being disposed so that in one longitudinal position of the outer member relative to the inner member the projections are engaged and the members are non-rotatively connected while in a second position of the outer member with respect to the inner member the projections are disengaged and said members may rotate independently of Y each other, means attaching. the upper portion of one of the members to the retrieving pipe whereby the assembly is suspendedirom said pipe, a connecting sub secured to the lowerend ofthat member which is not directly connected tothe retrieving pipe and having means for engaging with the upper end of a stuck pipe, and a safety connectionlocated between the connecting sub and one member of the telescoping assembly and operable to discon- "nectthe sub fromv the retrieving pipe, whereby the retrieving pipe and the wash pipe supported therefrom may ,be removed from the well bore independently of said connecting sub.

lil. In an apparatus for retrieving stuck pipe from a well bore, a fishing tool including a retrieving pipe, a tubular body on the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a wash pipe supported by and depending from the retrieving pipe and surrounding the body, a Sleeve surrounding the body within the wash pipe andV telescoping the same so. as to be movable longitudinally thereof. means for limiting the movement of the sleeve on the body, means on the lower end of said sleeve adapted to be connected with a stuck pipe within a well bore, and co-engageable means on the body and the sleeve for setting up a nonrotative relationship between the body and sleeve, whereby rotation of the retrieving pipe will be imparted to the sleeve and to the means on the lower end of said sleeve to effect connection of said means with the stuck pipe.

l2. In an apparatus for retrieving stuck pipe from a well bore, a ishing tool including a retrieving pipe, a tubular body on the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a wash pipe supported by and depending from the retrieving pipe `and surrounding the body, a sleeve surrounding the body within the wash pipe and telescoping the same so as to be movable longitudinally thereof, means for limiting the movement of the sleeve on the body, means on the lower end of said sleeve adapted to be connected with a stuck pipe within a well bore, co-engageable splines on the body and the sleeve for setting up a non-rotative connection between the sleeve and the body at the extreme limits of longitudinal movement of said sleeve relative to said body, said splines being out of engagement when the sleeve is at a position intermediate its limits of longitudinal movement.

13. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from al well bore, a shing tool including a retrieving pipe, a tubular body on the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a wash pipe supported by the retrieving pipe and depending therefrom, said wash pipe surrounding the body, a sleeve encircling the body located between said body and wash pipe and movable longitudinally with respect to the body, means on the body and sleeve for limiting the longitudinal movement of the sleeve on the body, means on the lower end of the sleeve adapted to be connected with a stuck pipe within a well bore, and an operative connection between the sleeve and the body and operable when the sleeve is in a predetermined longitudinal position with respect to the body for non-rotatably connecting the retrieving pipe to the sleeve, whereby said retrieving pipe may be utilized to eiect the connection between the means on the lower end of the sleeve and the stuck pipe, said operative connection being operable to rotatably connect the body to the sleeve When said sleeve is moved to a ditferent longitudinal position on the body.

14. In an apparatus -for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, a fishing tool as set forth in claim 13, wherein the inner diameter of the wash pipe is larger than the external diameter of the sleeve and body to form an annular tlow space within the wash pipe, and means establishing communicaton between the bore of the retrieving pipe and the annular ilow sp ace whereby iluid may be circulated downwardly through the wash pipe.

15. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe from a well bore, a fishing tool as set forth in claim 13, together with a safety joint connection between the lower end of the body and the sleeve, whereby in the event the stuck pipe cannot be removed after the sleeve has been connected thereto, the body may be separated from the sleeve and said body, wash pipe and retrieving pipe removed -from the well 1bore.

16. In an apparatus for removing stuck pipe trom a well bore, a fishing tool including, a retrieving pipe, a tubular mandrel connected to the lower end of the retrieving pipe, a wash pipe encircling the mandrel and supported by the retrieving pipe, said wash pipe being larger than the mandrel whereby the area therebetween provides a circulating passage, means providing communie-ation between said circulating passage and the bore of the retrieving pipe, a connecting element mounted on the mandrel for limited longitudinal movement relative to the mandrel and having means at its lower end for con necting the element to a stuck pipe within a well bore, co-engageable means on the connecting element and on the mandrel for setting up a non-rotative relationship between the element Iand mandrel, and a releasable safety connection between the connecting element and the lower end of the mandrel, whereby said mandrel may be initially employed to rotate the connecting element to connect it to the stuck pipe and may thereafter be disconnected from the connecting element to permit complete separation of the mandrel from the connecting element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,305,261 Kinley Dec. l5, 1942 2,436,506 Edwards Feb. 24, 1948 2,449,841 Claypool et al. Sept. 21, 1948 2,593,725 Brown Apr. 22, 1952 2,647,008 Stewart et al. July 28, 1953 

